Sustainable Operations

Companies can decarbonize key business operations—including manufacturing, procurement, and the supply chain—with readily available technologies at low cost. BCG’s sustainable operations consulting team can show you how.

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Sustainable operations doesn’t have to be a company’s end goal. Rather, it can be part of a holistic effort to drive business growth. We work with clients to improve operational sustainability—reducing emissions across the product life cycle, increasing sustainability in procurement and supply chain, enhancing operational efficiency, and transitioning to the circular economy—while creating value for the company.

BCG’s Value-Based Approach to Sustainable Operations

Many companies are setting emissions goals or net zero targets and increasing operational sustainability to achieve them. Getting on the path to achieve emissions targets enables organizations to stay ahead of new regulations, maintain access to investors’ capital, and retain and attract top talent. Following that path can also bring financial benefits—savings from operational efficiency, revenue growth from market expansion, and new revenue streams—all of which help to offset the costs of working with suppliers to address Scope 3 emissions.

Together with Quantis and Inverto, BCG works with companies to achieve emissions and net zero targets so they can stay ahead of a changing regulatory landscape, sure up access to key talent and materials, and drive lasting competitive advantage.

Here are just some of the ways we help clients unlock new value from sustainable operations:

Sustainable Manufacturing
Although most companies have set ambitious Scope 1 and 2 reduction targets and are committed to achieving them, concerns about incurring higher costs pose a major obstacle. We help companies decarbonize operations while improving efficiency so they not only lower emissions but also realize financial value and reduce risks. For example, by switching to renewable energy, clients can reduce their carbon footprint and insulate themselves from oil price fluctuations.
Sustainable Supply Chains and Procurement
For most large companies, greenhouse gas emissions from the supply chain—Scope 3 emissions—make up the largest share of their total carbon footprint. Addressing these emissions isn't just about environmental impact; it's a powerful lever for value creation. We help clients optimize for carbon reductions in their supply chain networks to cut costs alongside emissions. We help them segment suppliers and engage with them to achieve the most impact—from assisting them in setting new sustainable procurement standards to incentivizing decarbonization. Our experts in sustainable procurement and sustainable supply chain consulting ensure that companies have a solid sustainable supply chain strategy in place to create lasting value and impact.
Circular Economy
By transitioning to the circular economy, companies can help unlock $4.5 trillion of GDP growth worldwide by 2030. This paradigm of production and consumption will generate jobs, improve the quality of life, reduce waste, and create growth opportunities for the private sector. BCG helps clients shift away from the traditional take-make-dispose model and envision a new one that is regenerative by design.
Design to Sustainable Value
Design to Sustainable Value can enable companies to address key challenges in today's turbulent environment: eroding market share for incumbent brands, diminished profit margins, rising regulatory pressure, and evolving consumer and customer expectations. By reimagining products to optimize for cost, consumer needs, and sustainability, clients can grow market share, protect margins of core products, create agile teams, and meet regulatory and corporate sustainability targets.

Our Clients’ Success in Sustainable Operations

Our Sustainable Operations Partnerships and Products

We work with a diverse set of high-impact partners across global policymaking bodies, conveners, standard setters, innovators, and sector-specific organizations to drive climate and sustainability outcomes. Our collaborations span strategic advisory, coalition building, clean tech financing, emissions reduction programs, risk mitigation, adaptation planning, and more—partnering with groups such as the COP Presidencies, World Economic Forum, Breakthrough Energy, World Business Council for Sustainable Development, and Science Based Targets Network, among many others, to drive tangible societal and planetary impact.

Our Insights on Sustainable Operations

Meet Some of Our Sustainable Operations Consulting Team

BCG’s sustainable operations consulting team has deep expertise in sustainable manufacturing, sustainable procurement strategy, ESG in procurement, ESG in supply chains, and more. Here are some of our experts in sustainable operations.

Managing Director & Senior Partner

Chrissy O’Brien

Managing Director & Senior Partner
Boston

Managing Director & Senior Partner

Elfrun von Koeller

Managing Director & Partner
Denver

Partner and Associate Director, Total Societal Impact & Sustainability & Circular Economy

Alexander Meyer zum Felde

Partner and Associate Director, Total Societal Impact & Sustainability & Circular Economy
Hamburg

Managing Director & Partner

Diana Dimitrova

Managing Director & Partner
London

Managing Director & Partner

Rebecca Russell

Managing Director & Partner
Melbourne

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